The Dubai Municipality (DM) is soon set to organise heritage and folklore events at the Deira Traditional Market.

The move is part of the municipality’s plan to enliven trade movement and attract more shoppers to the market. “The Deira Traditional Market has been set up as a traditional heritage market, with an architectural design with distinctive features. It has more than 96 shops selling jewellery, tools, traditional clothes, perfumes, Oud, incense and sweets. The market also houses a popular restaurant that offers traditional dishes,” said Juma Al Fuqae, director of Assets Management Department at DM.

DM and the market traders have reached an agreement to organise heritage events and also open a traditional cafe to enliven the atmosphere.

“The Assets Management Department has been conducting coordination meetings with the relevant government agencies such as RTA to install signboards to facilitate easy access for shoppers,” Al Fuqae added.

The market was opened as a temporary one, for the shop owners of Naif Market after it was destroyed in a fire several years ago. “After the opening of Naif Market in a new style, and the tenants returned, the Municipality embarked on a new market in place of the temporary market to meet people’s needs for diversified products at reasonable prices, and to be a distinctive tourist destination. This area is always frequented by visitors and tourists, as well as citizens and residents, who love products from traditional markets,” said Al Fuqae.

He said the market stands out with its traditional style while having all modern amenities such as air-conditioning, a cafeteria and plenty of public parking, besides a mosque.